What the Josh Gordon Trade Means for His Fantasy Football Value, Betting on Patriots

Here's what the Josh Gordon trade to New England means for the wide receiver's fantasy football value and betting on the Patriots.

The former first-team All-Pro is already in elite company statistically, but his ceiling is even higher with Tom Brady throwing the ball.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed on Monday that the Cleveland Browns have traded Josh Gordon to the New England Patriots.

The move comes after Gordon reportedly showed up late to a meeting on Saturday with a new hamstring injury that he suffered at a promotional shoot a day earlier — the latest example of the highs and lows that the Browns have had to deal with since selecting him in the 2012 supplemental draft.

So, what fantasy football and betting implications does the Gordon trade have?

First, it’s worth noting that the 2013 first-team All-Pro receiver has the on-field talent to hang with the game’s elite at receiver. But he has played in only 41 of a possible 98 games since entering the league. So any conversation about Gordon’s future comes with the usual disclaimer that another off-field issue could instantly wipe out his fantasy stock.

Still, it’s hard not to get excited about what Gordon is capable of with Tom freaking Brady and the Patriots.

Gordon is as talented as any receiver the NFL has seen

Critics would label Gordon a disappointment if his career ended today due to a perceived “waste” of talent. There’s no doubt that Gordon hasn’t achieved everything he’s capable of, but he’s also largely dominated anyone and everyone over his (limited) time on the field.

Gordon is one of only 11 receivers to average at least 75 receiving yards per game since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger (minimum 16 starts). Every other receiver in that category is an objectively elite player.

Julio Jones: 95.7 yards per game

Odell Beckham Jr.: 93.6

Antonio Brown: 86.1

Calvin Johnson: 86.1

A.J. Green: 80.5

Michael Thomas: 80.3

Torry Holt: 77.4

Marvin Harrison: 76.7

Mike Evans: 76.3

Gordon: 75.8

Jerry Rice: 75.6

Gordon managed to post a ridiculous 87-1,646-9 receiving line in only 14 games in 2013, giving him the most receiving yards ever by a 22-year-old.

His nickname is “Flash” Gordon for a reason.

While we haven’t seen the best version of Gordon in quite some time, he still demonstrated plenty of big-play and scoring ability over his past six games with the Browns.

Even when Gordon looks like he’s covered, he’s not.

Gordon’s latest hamstring injury obviously isn’t good for his chances of immediately receiving a full game’s worth of snaps, but Schefter also reported that Gordon is healthy enough to play Sunday in Detroit.

Gordon is the Patriots most talented receiver

New England has become a recovery home for highly talented receivers over the years. The Patriots currently employ first-round busts Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson, while all-time disappointment Corey Coleman was released Monday. Meanwhile, incumbent No. 1 WR Chris Hoganwill certainly continue to see plenty of work during Julian Edelman’s four-game suspension.

And yet, there’s a good argument that Gordon is the most talented non-quarterback on the Patriots’ entire roster. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound alpha offers as much speed and more size than any other receivers on the active roster. He figures to immediately slide into three-receiver sets across from Dorsett with Hogan in the slot.

Rob Gronkowski and the Patriots’ plethora of running backs will continue to be involved in the passing game, but the Patriots haven’t had a receiver as naturally talented as Gordon since Randy Moss.

The ceiling is the roof for Gordon in New England

Brady has consistently fielded fantasy-friendly passing attacks for his wide receivers over the years and has produced at least one top-25 fantasy receiver in each of his last 10 seasons.

Year-by-year fantasy ranks of Brady’s top-two WRs:

2017: WR17, WR26

2016: WR17, WR70

2015: WR7, WR49

2014: WR14, WR27

2013: WR17, WR43 (GORDON WR1)

2012: WR8, WR37

2011: WR2, WR43

2010: WR23, N/A (only one Patriots WR had 50+ targets)

2009: WR1, WR4

2008 (Matt Cassel year): WR10, WR14

2007: WR1, WR12

The Patriots’ combination of Moss and Wes Welker from 2007-09 is maybe the closest comparison we have to Gordon and Edelman.

I mean, Brandon freaking LaFell was the WR27 in 2014. So what on God’s green Earth is Gordon capable of with Brady?

Betting futures

There’s still plenty of uncertainty surrounding Gordon’s health and his role in the Patriots offense. His presence isn’t likely to move New England’s season-long odds much — if at all — considering that the Pats are presently the odds-on favorites to take home each and every title.

Super Bowl 53: +650

AFC Conference Championship: +290

AFC East: -500

Best of luck to Gordon on his continued recovery and future in the league — and Lord have mercy on opposing defensive coordinators throughout the league.